Firecracker Popcorn Balls Recipe July 4th

Good Food

A Sweet DIY Treat for 4th of July

Looking for a fun easy snack to serve to the kids for July 4th? These cute, creative and tasty Red Hot Poppers popcorn balls inspired by the firecrackers and fireworks -- two icons we associate with the holiday -- are just the thing you've been searching for to enhance your Independence Day party entertaining or BBQ this year. Just think: what a hit (and a bang) the boys and girls will get out of these when they see and taste these. 

The Popcorn Board

MBE partnered with The Popcorn Board, post contains affiliate links

You may be surprised that, unlike traditional popcorn ball recipes, Red Hot Poppers are not only much more colorful in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue, they're loaded with a pop of red, sweet and slightly spicy flavor. All you need is some freshly popped popcorn, butter or margarine, mini marshmallows, red hot cinnamon candies, red and blue star sprinkles, and for the firecracker "fuse," some red licorice shoestring candy. 

The Perfect Recipe for Entertaining

For how to whip up some of these holiday treats, find the full Red Hot Poppers recipe here, where you'll also discover more fun and delicious popcorn recipes created by The Popcorn Board.

These 4th of July popcorn ball snack gems are so fun to mix up, you'll probably want to invite the kids into the kitchen to help make some of these treats. But when it comes time for eating them, don't be surprised if the grownups also want to "sample" these, but end up devouring them. So be sure to prepare extra so everyone who wants to can sink their teeth into these.

About The Popcorn Board

The Popcorn Board is a non-profit check-off organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors to raise awareness of popcorn as a versatile, healthy snack food. The Popcorn Board is a national commodity promotion and research program founded in April 1998 as an Act of Congress at the request of the popcorn processing industry. Popcorn not only tastes good, it is good for you. In its purest form it's a whole-grain that is unprocessed with no additional additives, hidden ingredients or GMOs. Learn more by visiting the official site at Popcorn.org and by following the organization's social channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube.

MBE participates in the Amazon affiliate program and receives a bit of compensation when you make a purchase using one of the Amazon links in this post.

Something to Stand For American Patriotism

Movies

Something to Stand For - What July 4th is All About

With Independence Day coming up, it got me thinking:What has happened to good old-fashioned American patriotism in the USA?  In the early 1960s, when I was a small town kid growing up, just about everyone in my neighborhood displayed an American flag all year, especially on Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4th. Not only that, our hamlet's 4th of July parade's stars were the well-respected veterans (some using walkers or wheelchairs) proudly marching in uniform admist the homemade floats made by school kids, the drum and bugle corp I belonged to, the Boy Scouts of America and others. 

Scenes from Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe

Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Reigniting American Patriotism

Mike Rowe, who many of you will remember from the Dirty Jobs TV series, is an intriguing and expressive storyteller. What you might not know is that Mike Rowe is also an Eagle Scout, the highest honor which few Boy Scouts achieve. Full disclosure: I'm the proud mom of an Eagle Scout myself. 

Injecting that same sense of pride, respect and honor he learnt back in the Scouts, Rowe proves he knows how to connect with his audience with the feeling of talking one-on-one in the film Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe, from TBN. The motion picture is now showing in theaters nationwide for a limited run June 27 to July 4th only.

This isn't just another boring documentary or fictious account of American history. From the American Revolution and George Washington the movie quickly moves through the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln, followed American involvement in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and the many other battles and conflicts on both American soil and abroad through the current day.

 

More Scenes from Something to Stand For

It also touches on a different kind of historical war that took place: the Civil Rights Movement and great moments like NASA's first female African American astronaut Mae Gemison. What Something to Stand For is about reflects on some previously not well-known true back stories of America's history and its heroes, both every day folks and famous leaders. Men and women, a sometimes children, who had the courage and bravery to make the sacrifices for the many freedoms and other privileges we enjoy. 

I was deeply moved screening this film, but at times some of the battle scenes were too gory and realistic for me to watch. Still the film moves forward, lead by Rowe's folksy narration as he takes the audience on a field trip in his old, beat-up Bronco to visit America's important memorial monuments in heart of Washington, DC. 

This isn't just another sight seeing tour, either. Along the way many mysteries unfold before our eyes. What film's viewers will learn is what these honorable places really represent through the reenactment of actual historical moments and some of the individuals who made sacrifices of life and limb for the America that exists today.

Regaining Gratitude for America's Heroes

In Something to Stand For, patriotism is brought back into the forefront of the audience's collective consciouness. It's cool again to wave and display the American flag proudly and to respect and honor our Nation's heroes, both living and gone. Thanks to Rowe's expert storytelling, along with the cast of every day people acting out true stories that haven't been told before -- all actors and actresses are from the state of Oklahoma -- history comes alive in a enriching and unique way that draws viewers into the scenes. 

From the American Revolution forward, our collective history is once again is relatable. Most importantly, during these dark modern times of unrest, Something to Stand For reminds us that its good time to refocus our hearts and minds on this country's heroes. To properly honor and respect all those men and women both in the military and every day citizens who showed (and still show) great courage and bravery on the country's behalf. These intriguing stories which Rowe so artfully tells potentially can inspire many and can be the spark that relights American patriotism not only for the audience but hopefully for countless others.

About Something to Stand For With Mike Rowe

The movie Something to Stand For with Mike Rowe, from TBN, is in theaters nationwide from June 27 through July 4, only. Get information and buy tickets now. Overall this is an excellent movie suitable for a mature audience and I encourage you to see this. Parents: Please note the movie is Rate NR (Not Rated) and includes historical footage intermixed with some renactments of battle scenes which may not be appropriate for young children.

Anti Aging Beautifully With Good Nutrition

Wellness

Beauty is more than just skin deep. It transcends mere appearances and is an embodiment of vitality, health, and confidence that radiates from within oneself. It's a journey where everything you eat and drink nourishes not just the body, but the very essence of your being.

MBE partnered with Grace O for this story, post contains affiliate links

Super Foods for Aging Beautifully 

Grace O, founder of FoodTrients, has identified certain ‘superfoods’ as the path to staying beautiful and vibrant as you age 

• Vitamin A foods: carrots, tomatoes, red peppers, melon, fish, eggs 
• Vitamin C foods: sweet potatoes, red peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes 
• Vitamin E foods: almonds, peanut butter, pumpkin, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds 
• Biotin foods: nuts, egg yolks, oats Selenium foods: Brazil nuts, seafood, broccoli, soybeans

 

"Choose from these food categories," Grace O says, "to get access to the complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your beauty. With each bite, you rewrite the narrative of aging, embracing a future where beauty and wellness dance in harmonious tandem.

Ginger Hultin, FoodTrients nutritionist and dietician, elaborates further on how a wholesome diet can aid long-term beauty in a surprisingly multitude of ways. "Not only can eating well boost hair and skin quality and foster growth and resilience. It can also energize the body, setting the stage for living an active lifestyle and maintaining optimal muscle mass. The end result fuels vitality, helping you to greet each day anew with positivity and potential."

It's time to savor all the flavors of nourishment we've been talking about, paving the way for a more vibrant, age-defying you. Sample Grace O's mouth-watering, healthy anti-aging food with the Radish Salad recipe below that's perfect for summer.

Recipe

Daikon Radish Salad

This recipe is from the first cookbook by Grace O, The Age Gracefully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World (2016) is available on Amazon. Her second cookbook (pictured above) The Age Gracefully Cookbook: The Power of Foodtrients to Promote Health and Well-Being for a Joyful and Sustainable Life, is available in paperback and for Kindle. Grace O is also the author of Anti-Aging Dishes From Around the World, available in hard cover and for Kindle.

The recipe here is an excellent example of how the ‘superfoods’ that are ingredients for aging well, can be incorporated into delicious, irresistible dishes that are easy to prepare. Radishes belong to the same family as kale and cabbage and offer some of the same disease-preventing benefits. The eggs in this bright, tangy salad provide protein and the carrots vitamin A and the tomatoes vitamins A and C. 

Ingredients

2 daikon radishes or 1 bunch red radishes, stems removed 
1 cup seasoned rice vinegar 
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 
1 tsp. minced garlic 
1 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 
2 chopped hard-boiled eggs 
6-8 sliced grape tomatoes
2 medium carrots, scrubbed and sliced into coins 

Directions 

1. Slice the radishes very thinly using a food processor or mandolin slicer. 

2. To make the dressing, mix together the rice vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Let stand and allow the flavors to blend for up to 1 hour. 

3. Toss the radishes with dressing. 

4. To assemble, arrange the sliced radishes on salad plates. Top with the chopped eggs, carrots and tomato slices, evenly divided. 

Recipe and photos reprinted with permission from The Age Gracefully Cookbook by Grace O; photo by Matthew Fried. To see the full article and more recipes, as well as learn more about Grace O, visit Foodtrients.com .

MBE participates in the Amazon affiliate program and receives a bit of compensation when you make a purchase using one of the Amazon links in this post.